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Sermon #3039

The Judgement Throne of Christ

A Sermon on Romans 2:11-16

Originally preached Nov. 23, 1956

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Scripture

Romans 2:11-16 ESV KJV
For God shows no partiality. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers …

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Sermon Description

When the day of judgement comes, will the Jews have preferred treatment since they are God’s chosen people? In this sermon titled “The Judgment Throne of Christ” from Romans 2:11–16, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that no one will have any possible argument or excuse concerning the day of wrath. God is always just and His judgement is always according to truth. Dr. Lloyd-Jones unfolds this passage, pointing out that Paul has divided humankind into two groups: those who are under the law and those who are without the law. These two groups are the Jews and the Gentiles, respectively. Paul points out that Jews, who were given the law, will be judged by the law. This will be a higher and more severe standard of judgement since having the law means they had more opportunity. This shows how God is impartial and His judgement is fair. In the same manner, those who have heard the gospel and have been able to grow in grace and maturity in the Lord have greater responsibility today.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The main principle stated in verse 11 is that there is no respect of persons with God. This means God has no favorites and does not lift up the face of one over another.
  2. Verse 12 elaborates on this principle. It states that those without the law (Gentiles) will perish without the law, and those with the law (Jews) will be judged by the law. The determining factor is sin, not whether one has the law.
  3. The terms "perish" and "judgment" show the finality and severity of the consequences of sin. Perish means eternal destruction.
  4. The Jew will face a higher standard of judgment than the Gentile because the Jew had greater light and opportunity through the law. Though the final destiny may be the same, the punishment may differ in degree.
  5. Verse 16 states that God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ. This means God will judge not just outward actions but inward thoughts and motives.
  6. Jesus Christ as judge ensures the judgment will be absolutely fair since He lived as a man and understands human nature and conditions.
  7. The judgment is part of the gospel according to Paul. The gospel includes not just salvation but also the wrath of God against sin.
  8. "My gospel" does not mean Paul's personal experience or interpretation. There is only one gospel, the one committed to Paul and the other apostles.

The Book of Romans

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.